The Manipur government has enforced shutdown of mobile Internet for five days in the entire state, citing tense communal situation and volatile law and order situation after a vehicle was torched by miscreants in Bishnupur district on Saturday.
The order issued on Saturday by special secretary (Home) H Gyan Prakash stated that the suspension of internet is imposed to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order in Manipur and shall be in force for the next five days with immediate effect.
It mentioned that as per the director general of police vide letter No.IC/11(163)/2008-PHQ(Pt) dated August 6, one Eco-Van was reportedly found burning and suspected to have set ablaze by three-four youths suspected to be of a community at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai along Tiddim Road on National Highway-2.
It stated that there is an imminent danger of loss of life or damage to public and private property, and wide spread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harm, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours which could be transmitted to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle services.
In exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, the order of Suspension/curbing of mobile data services in the territorial jurisdiction of the entire state of Manipur is issued, it stated.
All Mobile Service providers are hereby directed to ensure compliance of this order, it further stated, adding that any person found guilty for violation of aforesaid orders will be liable for legal action.
The order also raised concern that some anti-social elements are using social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public. The social media has also become a handy tool for rumour mongers and is being used to incite the general public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state, it added.
Also Read:
30 protesting students injured in police action over ATSUM leaders arrest
Gig Box Production black listed for failing to pay Shirock 2022 winners
Don’t entertain Aadhaar card and cash to third party for PMUY 2.0, it is free of cost: AMIDA
